Archive · 14 Nov 2025
India's Treated Used Water Economy Could Reach $35 Billion by 2047, Creating Over 1 Lakh Jobs
Imagine all the water we use that goes down the drain.
Right now, India doesn't clean up most of this used water.
But a new study says if India cleans and reuses this water, it could make a lot of money by the year 2047, like having a whole new treasure!
This is because industries and farms need water, and cleaned used water can be used instead of fresh water.
Cleaning and reusing this water will also need many people to build and run the cleaning plants, creating over a hundred thousand new jobs.
New rules are also helping this happen, making big water users reuse some of their wastewater.
Cities like Surat are already making money by selling cleaned used water to factories.
So, instead of just being waste, used water can become a valuable resource for India's growth and a healthier planet.
India's treated used water economy could generate up to $35 billion in economic opportunities by 2047.
Reusing treated used water could create over 1 lakh new jobs across India by 2047.
Currently, India treats only 28% of its used water, with most cities lacking functional reuse infrastructure.
By 2047, India could reuse 31,265 million m³ of treated used water, meeting significant industrial and irrigation needs.
New regulations require bulk users to treat and reuse a percentage of their wastewater, supporting the growth of this sector.
- Who
- Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)
- What
- Study projecting significant economic opportunities and job creation from treated used water reuse in India.
- When
- Published on November 14, 2025; projections to 2047
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address rising water demand, close the supply-demand gap, reduce freshwater extraction, and promote a circular economy.
Current Situation
Future Potential with Reuse
Water Treatment and Reuse Infrastructure
Current Situation
India currently treats only about 28% of its used water, and over 80% of cities lack functional reuse infrastructure.
Future Potential with Reuse
By 2047, India could reuse 31,265 million m³ of treated used water, meeting significant industrial and irrigation demand.
Economic Opportunity
Current Situation
Vast untapped potential in urban water systems.
Future Potential with Reuse
The treated used water economy could unlock up to $35 billion in economic opportunity by 2047, including market revenue and infrastructure investment.
Job Creation
Current Situation
Limited employment directly related to used water reuse.
Future Potential with Reuse
Scaling up treated used water reuse could create over 1 lakh new jobs by 2047.
- Projected Economic Opportunity (by 2047)
- Up to $35 billion (₹3.04 lakh crore)
- Projected Job Creation (by 2047)
- Over 1 lakh
- Current Used Water Treatment Rate
- 28% (20.24 billion litres per day)
- Projected Reusable Water by 2047
- 31,265 million m³
- Liquid Waste Management Rules 2024 Requirement
- Bulk users must treat and reuse at least 20% of wastewater (rising to 50% by 2031)
- Surat's Revenue from Treated Used Water (2014-2021)
- Over ₹230 crore